JP · Hokkaido · 43.06°N 141.35°E

hokkaido

Fresh seafood, Sapporo ramen and the snow festival every February.

Best time
December to February for snow and the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February; July for the lavender at Furano.
How long
5–7 days
Getting there
Fly to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, usually via Tokyo or another hub.
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JP · Hokkaidohokkaido43.06°N 141.35°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Fresh seafood, Sapporo ramen and the snow festival every February.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHokkaidoJP, Hokkaido
KLhokkaido
≈ 5,915 km from KL, as the crow flies
Lake Ichiko of Shiretoko Goko Lakes in Shari, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan.

Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Japan's northern island: big landscapes, deep winter snow, summer flower fields and some of the country's best seafood and dairy.

Makan

  1. Miso ramenSapporo's own style, rich and warming.Map ↗
  2. Seafood donburiCrab, uni and salmon roe over rice at the morning markets.Map ↗
  3. JingisukanLamb grilled on a dome-shaped hotplate.Map ↗
  4. Soup currySpiced curry broth with big pieces of vegetables and chicken.Map ↗
  5. Soft serveMade with Hokkaido milk.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sapporo Snow FestivalHuge snow and ice sculptures in early February.Map ↗
  2. OtaruA canal town of old warehouses and glassworks.Map ↗
  3. Furano and BieiLavender and flower fields in summer.Map ↗
  4. NisekoWorld-famous powder snow for skiing.Map ↗
  5. HakodateThe night view from Mount Hakodate and the morning market.Map ↗

Where to stay

Sapporo as a base; Niseko in ski season; Furano in summer.

Good to know

  • Distances are big. Rent a car in summer or use the JR trains.
  • Winter roads are icy; only drive if you're used to snow.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.